Cincinnati @ San Diego preview
PETCO Park
Last Meeting ( May 15, 2014 ) San Diego 6, Cincinnati 1
The Cincinnati Reds attempt to extend their winning streak to six games when they visit the San Diego Padres for the opener of a three-game series on Monday. Cincinnati has lost only three times in its last 14 contests and improved to 6-1 on its 10-game road trip with a 4-0 triumph at San Francisco on Sunday. Homer Bailey tossed a three-hit shutout while Brayan Pena and Skip Schumaker each recorded two hits and an RBI as the Reds completed a four-game sweep of the Giants.
San Diego halted its three-game losing streak Sunday, salvaging the finale of its three-game set against Arizona with a 2-1 victory. Alexi Amarista snapped a tie with a sacrifice fly and Odrisamer Despaigne worked 6 2/3 solid innings en route to his second win in as many major-league starts. The Padres won two of three at Cincinnati in mid-May, holding the Reds to just one run in each triumph.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSN San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mat Latos (1-0, 2.89 ERA) vs. Padres RH Jesse Hahn (3-1, 2.38)
Latos will be making just his fourth start of the season after recovering from knee and elbow surgeries. The 26-year-old posted his first win on Wednesday, when he limited the Cubs to one run and five hits over seven innings at Chicago. Latos has posted a 1.38 ERA in two outings but has yet to record a decision against San Diego, the team with which he began his career.
Hahn has posted three straight victories after losing his major-league debut against Pittsburgh on June 3. The 24-year-old allowed two runs and four hits while registering a career-high eight strikeouts at San Francisco on Tuesday. Hahn, who has yielded a total of two earned runs over his last three starts, has struck out 27 hitters in 22 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Padres have scored more than two runs only twice in their last eight games and have eclipsed the three-run mark in six of their first 26 contests this month.
2. The Reds have outscored the opposition 24-7 during their winning streak.
3. San Diego LF Carlos Quentin has missed three straight games with a shoulder injury.
PREDICTION: Reds 6, Padres 2